Pakistan great Javed Miandad is not happy with the state of pitches being prepared for Test matches around the world these days and feels the ICC needs to keep a watch on the quality of turfs.

Miandad, who also works as Director-General of cricket in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said while he agreed with the concept that Test cricket is all about learning curve for players, he felt some of the pitches used in recent Test matches didn’t promote competitive cricket.

“As a former Test player I can say that even Pakistan got to play on Test pitches in South Africa which had variable bounce. I can understand how difficult it is to adapt on such surfaces against a top class pace attack that South Africa has these days,” he said.

He said similarly some of the recent pitches used in India were also testing for the visiting teams.

“I myself loved the challenge of playing on different surfaces but home boards also need to ensure that pitches are ideal for promotion of Test cricket,” Miandad said.

“To my mind a good Test pitch would have even bounce and pace throughout the match with help for the pacers for the first few days and then assistance for the spinners as the match progresses.”

He said as a former player he would like to see the ICC take a close look at recent pitches used in Test matches prepared around the world.

“Home sides must have advantage but one needs to closely keep an eye on how much advantage a home side should be given.”

First Published on February 28, 2013, 8:47 pmLast updated on February 28, 2013, 8:47 pm